Jim Dodson Supports FDOT's Efforts to Reduce Statewide Bicycle Fatalities

Clearwater, FL, April 12, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) met Thurs., April 4, 2013 to discuss their plan for reducing statewide bicycle and pedestrian fatalities by 20 percent by the year 2015.

FDOT released a PSA on their campaign at the Tampa Bay Rays’ game last Thursday. “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” was created to teach people how accidents occur and how they can be avoided to reduce the number of cyclist fatalities. Florida is the deadliest state to ride a bicycle according to FDOT’s statistics.

While Florida fatalities have decreased since 2010, bicycle and pedestrian deaths have increased by 2 percent. Statistics show the number of impaired, distracted, and at-risk drivers has increased since 2010, and they believe these factors are causing the increase in deaths. Aggressive driving, lane departure closures, and intersection crashes are additional factors they believe are leading to bike and pedestrian casualties.

“I fully support FDOT’s efforts to make the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. I am hopeful that if we educate people on the preventative measures, the number of fatalities will decrease,” said Jim Dodson, an avid cyclist and safety advocate for cyclists. Dodson authored a book for cyclists about how they can best protect themselves while riding. To order a copy of Jim’s book, The Florida Bicycle Accident Handbook, at no cost, please go to www.dodsonbicyclelaw.com or call Kati Jones at (727) 446-0840.